Multipurpose work unit



Dec. 22, 1964 R, w. FRANZEN 3,162,266

MULTIPURPOSE WORK UNIT Filed Jan. 31, 1965 2 SheetsSheet l Fig.

Russell W Franzen INVENTOR.

Dec. 22, 1964 R. w. FRANZEN 3,162,266

MULTIPURPOSE WORK UNIT Filed Jan. 31, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f'ii Russell W Franzen 56 INVENTOR.

x C BY @1014 '20 43 a L 45 M g United States Patent Office 3,162,266 Patented Dec. 22, 1964 3,162,266 MULTHURPGSE WGRK UNIT Russell W. Franzen, 307 W. McGafiey, Roswell, N. Mex. Filed Jan. 31, 1963, Ser. No. 255,285 Claims. (Cl. 182-182) This invention relates to a novel and useful work unit and more specifically to a multipurpose work unit of the sawhorse type which includes a pair of upright leg assemblies interconnected by means of elongated brace means secured and extending between the upper end portions of the leg assemblies. A horizontally disposed platform is provided and is mounted on the work unit for vertical adjustment between upper and lower positions above the elongated brace means.

By providing a platform which may be raised and lowered relative to the remainder of the sawhorse defined by the multipurpose work unit of the instant invention, the usefulness of the sawhorse-type of device formed thereby will be increased greatly. It may be utilized as an adjustable support for scaffolding members and in many other instances where vertical adjustment of a horizontally disposed support is desired.

The work unit of the instant invention includes foldable leg assemblies and it may be readily folded into a compact state. In addition, the foldable leg assemblies of the work unit and the means by which the platform may be secured in an elevated position are constructed in a manner whereby as weight is added to the elevated platform, the connection between the elevated platform and the remainder of the work unit and the means by which the foldable leg assemblies are secured in the operative positions will become more efficient in rigidly supporting the platform from the supporting surface on which the leg assemblies are disposed.

The main object of this invention is to provide a multipurpose work unit of the sawhorse type including a load platform portion which may be readily raised and lowered relative to the upper portion of the sawhorse and secured in a raised position in a novel manner with the leg assemblies of the unit providing an extremely rigid supporting base for the platform.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding object, is to provide a foldable work unit that may be readily folded into a compact state so as to be adapted to be transported from one location to another with a minimum amount of effort.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding object, is to provide a work unit designed to be constructed of readily available wooden pieces and various articles of readily available hardware thereby enabling the work unit to be inexpensively produced.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a multipurpose work unit in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the multipurpose work unit of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view similar to that of FIGURE 1 but showing the platform member of the work unit secured in a raised position;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the work unit in an inverted folded position;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational view of the work unit as seen from the right side of FIGURE 1 and with the raised position of the platform being shown in phantom lines;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of FIGURE 2; 7

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line '7-7 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical section view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line S8 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 10 generally designates the multipurpose work unit of the instant invention. The work unit 10 comprises a pair of upright leg assemblies generally referred to by the reference numerals 12 and 14 which are interconnected at their upper ends by means of an elongated brace assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 18. The brace assembly 18 includes a pair of generally parallel opposite side members 20 and 22 which are interconnected at corresponding end portions by means of filler members 24. In addition, the side members 20 and 22 are also interconnected at their mid-portions by means of a filler member 26. The filler member 26 is secured between the side members 20 and 22 by means of screws 28 and the filler members 24 are secured between the opposite ends of the side members 20 and 22 by means of screws 30. The spaces between the filler member 26 and the filler members 24 define slots 32 and 34 which extend longitudinally of the brace assembly 18. The confronting upper corners of the fillers 24 define corner portions 36 which form included angles that open downwardly and way from each other longitudinally of the brace assembly 18.

A supporting base 38 is secured to the underside of each end of the brace assembly 18 by means of suitable screws 40, see FIGURE 7. A mounting base 42 is pivotally secured to each of the support bases 38 by means of a hinge assembly 44 and has a pair of leg members 46 and 48 pivotally secured thereto by means of hinges 50 and 52, respectively, to form the corresponding one of the leg assemblies. It will be noted that the upper ends of leg members 46 and 48 project above the corresponding mounting base 42 and that their confronting beveled surfaces 54 abut the corresponding portions of the remote faces of the side members 20 and 22 in surface-to-surface contacting relation therewith in order to define limit positions of the free lower ends of the leg members 46 and 48 awayfrom each other. a

A pair of abutment blocks 56 is secured to the remote surfaces of the side members 22 and 24 at each end of the brace assembly 18 by means of suitable fasteners 58. The abutment blocks include inclined surfaces 60, see FIGURES 1 and 2 for abutting engagement with the upper ends of the confronting edges 62 of corresponding ones of the leg members 46 and 43. Additionally, each of the abutment blocks 56 has an abutment pin 64 which projects outwardly from the surface 66 thereof and forms an abutment for preventing the corresponding leg member from pivoting about its axis of rotation relative to the corresponding mounting base to move the lower end thereof toward the lower end of the other leg member of that leg assembly. Thus, it may be seen that once the leg assemblies 12 and 14 have been pivoted to the operative positions the leg members 46 and 48 thereof may not be pivoted relative to the corresponding mounting bases 42 in order to move their lower ends toward each other. Inaddition. each of the mounting bases 42includes a hook member 68 wtih which a hook carried by the adjacent end of the brace assembly '18 may be removably engaged in order -to retain the. mounting bases 42 in adjusted rotated positions with their leg members" 46 and 48 in their fully erected positions; 7 It -Wi1l be notedthat the leg assemblies 12'and 14, when in the fully erected 'pos'it'ion's; are downwardly divergent and that the numeral 74 has a pair of leg members 76 and 73 secured thereby bymeans of hinge assemblies 80 and 82, respec tively. The leg members 76 and 78-. when in the extended operative positions, are downwardly divergent and include upper end edges 84 which are inclined relative to the longitudinal center lines of the legs and comprise abutment surfaces for abutting engagement with the undersur'face of the platform '72. v I The remote lower end: corners of the leg members 76 and 7 8 are provided with corners defining recesses or notches 86 in which the corner portions 36 defined by the I filler members 24 are snugly receivable. In addition, the

adjacent corners of the lower ends of thelleg members 76' and '78 are provided with transverse bores- 90 for the,

reception of a slideyfastener shank 92 which is' supported from the brace assembly 18 bymeans of a sleevemember 94, see FIGUREH6. The slide member shank 92 connected with each of the leg members 76 and 78' prevents thatleg member from being withdrawn upwardly through the corresponding one of the slots 32 and 34.

What is claimed asnew is as follows: ,1

1. A multipurpose work unit of the sa horse type comprising a pair of upright leg assemblies interconnected at their upper ends by means of generally horizontal elongated brace means securediand extending therebetween generally horizontally disposed and elongated platform means disposed-above and generally paralleling'said brace means, said brace means including a pair of opposing and upwardly facing abutment means extending transversely thereof and spaced longitudinally therealong, said platform means including depending legs pivotally secured to said platform means for rotation about generally horizontal axes extending transversely and'spaced longitudinally of said platform means and for swinging movement. between generally .vertical free hanging positions and substantially downwardly divergent limit posit-ions," the lower end portions of saidlegs,fwhen the latter-are in said limit positions, having downwardly .and outwardly opening notches formed therein inwhich, when said legs arein said downwardly divergent limit positions, said opposing abutment means are seatingly receivable for supporting said legs upon the lowering of said platform means from an elevated position toward in. said brace means 'to an upper. supported position; said legs being freely swingable to said free hanging position upon the raising of said platform means above said upperlsupported position andthereafter receivable, when in'said free hanging positions, between said abutment means upon the lowering of said platform means toward a lowered' position supported from said elongated brace means independently of said legs, said opposing abutment means "being spaced considerably further apart than the transversely extending axes of rotation of said legs rela- It will be noted, however, that if the slide member shanks Y 92 are withdrawn from the bores 90, that the platform 72 may be readily raised frornfengagement with the brace pins of the hinges 80 and 82 when the platform 72 is in c the loweredposition.

Additionally, the reception of the opposite ends of the hinge pins of the hinegs 80' and 82 within the notches or recesses 96 and 98 will also prevent longtiudinal. shifting of the platform assembly '74 relative to the brace assembly 18.

From FIGURE 3 of the drawings it may be seen that the multipurpose work unit 10 may be readily folded into a compact state whereby it maybe transported with ease from one location to another. Further, the multipurpose work unit has been designed in 'a'manner enabling it to be constructed entirely of readily available wooden boards of the draw- 155 and inexpensive hardware. f

With attention now directed to FIGURE 2 ing's; it"m'ay be seen that when a load is placed/on the 7 platform assembly 74 theweight of the load tends to furtherstrengthen the connection between the platform assembly and the brace assembly 18. In addition, weight supported from the pla'tform74 will also tend'to enable. 7 the-leg members-46 and 48v tomore rigidly support the brace as'semblyf118. j

The foregoing is considered as illustrative OIfIlY IOf the principles 'of'the invention. 'Further, since numerous codifications' and changes' will readily occur tothose skilled in the art,-it is not desired tolimit the invention to the" exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modificationsand equivalents may be resorted to, falling-within the scope of the invention as claimed.

tive to said platform means. 2.- The combination of claim 'l'including coacting latch .means carried bysaid legs and brace means releasably engageable with each other for preventing swinging'move .ment of the lower ends'of said legs toward each other away from said limit positions;

.3. The combination-of claim 2 wherein said latch means also include means interlocking said legs to said brace means preventing upward movement of said platform means relative to said brace means.

4. The" combination ofelaim 1 wherein said elongated brace means defines vertical slot means extending longitudinally thereof, said depending legs being slidably receivable through said slot means-and said opposing abut- -me'nt' means comprising the rernotelends of said slot means v t t 1 5. The combination of claim. 1 wherein the opposite ends "of said slot means" and-tlie lupper surface of said brace means'define corner portions spaced longitudinally of said brace means defining included angles opening downwardly and longitudinally of said brace means and away from each other, said' notches being of a size and shape corresponding to said corner portions'and seatingly re'c zeivirfig the latter in "surfacedo-s1'1rlac'e engagement therewith. 1

' References cream the meet thispat'ent v QUNrrBnsTATEs PATENTS j t I /300.3575 own 1 June 24, 1384 303,181 108mm-" Aug. 5, 1884 462,636; lam-Z a Nov. 10,1891 4 1,711,328 1 Russell Apr. 30, 192 9 26733765 Storck 1 -Mar. 30'. 1954 i FonEmNgPATn TS 1 Y May 14, 1903 

1. A MULTIPURPOSE WORK UNIT OF THE SAWHORSE TYPE COMPRISING A PAIR OF UPRIGHT LEG ASSEMBLIES INTERCONNECTED AT THEIR UPPER ENDS BY MEANS OF GENERALLY HORIZONTAL ELONGATED BRACE MEANS SECURED AND EXTENDING THEREBETWEEN, GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED AND ELONGATED PLATFORM MEANS DISPOSED ABOVE AND GENERALLY PARALLELING SAID BRACE MEANS, SAID BRACE MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF OPPOSING AND UPWARDLY FACING ABUTMENT MEANS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THEREOF AND SPACED LONGITUDINALLY THEREALONG, SAID PLATFORM MEANS INCLUDING DEPENDING LEGS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID PLATFORM MEANS FOR ROTATION ABOUT GENERALLY HORIZONTAL AXES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY AND SPACED LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID PLATFORM MEANS AND FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT BETWEEN GENERALLY VERTICAL FREE HANGING POSITIONS AND SUBSTANTIALLY DOWNWARDLY DIVERGENT LIMIT POSITIONS, THE LOWER END PORTIONS OF SAID LEGS, WHEN THE LATTER ARE IN SAID LIMIT POSITIONS, HAVING DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY OPENING NOTCHES FORMED THEREIN IN WHICH, WHEN SAID LEGS ARE IN SAID DOWNWARDLY DIVERGENT LIMIT POSITIONS, SAID OPPOSING ABUTMENT MEANS ARE SEATINGLY RECEIVABLE FOR SUPPORTING SAID LEGS UPON THE LOWERING OF SAID PLATFORM MEANS FROM AN ELEVATED POSITION TOWARD SAID BRACE MEANS TO AN UPPER SUPPORTED POSITION, SAID LEGS BEING FREELY SWINGABLE TO SAID FREE HANGING POSITION UPON THE RAISING OF SAID PLATFORM MEANS ABOVE SAID UPPER SUPPORTED POSITION AND THEREAFTER RECEIVABLE, WHEN IN SAID FREE HANGING POSITIONS, BETWEEN SAID ABUTMENT MEANS UPON THE LOWERING OF SAID PLATFORM MEANS TOWARD A LOWERED POSITION SUPPORTED FROM SAID ELONGATED BRACE MEANS INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID LEGS, SAID OPPOSING ABUTMENT MEANS BEING SPACED CONSIDERABLY FURTHER APART THAN THE TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING AXES OF ROTATION OF SAID LEGS RELATIVE TO SAID PLATFORM MEANS. 